Door latch



July 11, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL DOOR LATCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1958 INVENTOR. Fd/{d 14/ [am yZeZ Z,

BY M. fiTTafi/YLYi July 11, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL DOOR LATCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1958 INVENTOR. F /fd/d 14 (am Z621 July 11, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL 2,992,033

DOOR LATCH Filed May 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FQ/{d/d W [am i612:

i774 RNE V5 July 11, 1961 R. w. CAMPBELL 2,992,033

DOOR LATCH Filed May 28, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Fa/{dZd 71 ('dm fieZZ.

WZZZDZOQNM United States Patent .0

2,992,033 DOOR LATCH Ronald W. Campbell, Jackson, Micln, assign'or to Hancock Industries, Inc., Jackson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed May 28, 1958, Ser. No. 738,352 1'2 Claims. (Cl. 292280) This invention relates to latching mechanisms, and more particularly to automobile door latches of the type in which the outside handle is freely movable when in locked condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved free handle latching mechanism which is simple and positive in its action and does not require the shifting of any latch-actuating portion of the device when moving between its locked and unlocked conditions.

It is another object to provide an improved free handle latching mechanism of this nature which is especially adapted for door latches having multi-toothed rotary bolts and requires relatively few modifications in presently used latching mechanisms of this type for incorpo ration of the novel locking mechanism.

It is also an object to provide an improved latch of the above nature which is simple and foolproof in operation and is adaptable to both front and rear doors.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a front door latching mechanism embodying the principles of the invention, parts being broken away for clarity, the elements of the latch being shown in unlocked position;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the latch;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIGURE 1 and showing the relative positions of the parts associated with the detent means;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of portions of the latch shown in their unlatching position;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the parts in their locked position with the outside rollback activated;

FIGURE 7 is an end elevational view of a modified form of the invention adapted for rear doors of automotive vehicles, the parts being shown in unlocked position; and

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 7, illustrating the manner in which the inside handle may be locked.

'In general terms, the invention comprises a door latching mechanism having a mounting plate on which a multitoothed rotary bolt is rotatably supported, this bolt having one or more detents engageable with the teeth thereof to hold the bolt in latching position. An outside rollback is movably carried by the mounting plate and is connected to the swingable detent by a detent actuating lever. This lever has one end pivoted to an arm on the detent and a central portion connected to the rollback. The opposite end of the lever is engageable with a shiftable member which in one position acts as a fulcrum about which said opposite end of the lever may rotate, but in its other position is clear of the lever. Thus, with the movable fulcrum in its unlocking position, movement of the rollback will cause rocking movement of the lever about the fulcrum, so that the end connected to the detent will swing in a direction retracting the detent from the bolt. However, if the fulcrum is moved to its locking position, movement of the rollback will result in swinging move- 2,992,033 Patented July 11, 1961 ment of the lever about its pivotal connection with the detent, with no detent retraction.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URES 1-6 show a latch generally indicated at 11 which is adapted for installation in the front door of an automotive vehicle. The latch comprises a mounting plate generally indicated at 12 and having a base 13 and a flange 14. Base 13 is adapted to be secured within the door in a position facing the door jamb, with flange 14 facing the inside of the door. A multi-toothed rotary bolt generally indicated at 15 is rotatably mounted on base 13 in the manner shown best in FIGURE 4, a pivot pin 16 being provided for rotatably supporting bolt 15. This pivot pin is supported between an outboard bearing member 17 and an inner deck plate 18 seen in FIGURE 4. The bolt has a plurality of teeth 19 adapted to engage a keeper shown in dot-dash lines at 20 which is secured to the door post (not shown) and disposable between bolt teeth 19 and the upper portion of member 17. A plurality of dogging teeth 21 are carried by bolt 15 inwardly of base 13, and detent means generally indicated at 22 are provided for bolt 15, this detent means comprising a plurality of cams 23, 24 and 25 rockably mounted on a pivot pin 26. Cam 23 may be termed a lifting cam and has an arm 27 extending upwardly from pin 26, as well as a transversely extending arm 28 for engaging cams 24 and 25 in a conventional manner in order to lift these cams into their unlatching position. A plurality of springs 29 are mounted on base 13 and are engageable with cams 23, 24 and 25 to urge the cams into their latching position. A spring 30 is also mounted on base 13 and urges an outside rollback 31 toward its retracted position.

Outside rollback 31 is pivotally mounted at 32 on base 13, this rollback comprising an L-shaped member adapted to be actuated by an outside handle on the door. More particularly, a laterally extending flange 33 is provided on one arm of rollback 31 which may be engaged by a push rod indicated by dot-dash lines at 34, this rod being movable by an outside handle (not shown). As an alternate connection, an aperture 35 is provided on the other arm of rollback 31 for connection to a vertically movable rod (not shown).

A connecting link 66 is pivotally connected at 37 to an intermediate portion of the vertically extending arm of rollback 31, this link extending toward flange 14 of the mounting plate. The other end of link 36 is pivotally connected at 38 to an intermediate portion of a hookshaped lever 39 which may be termed a detent actuating lever. This lever is of generally semicircular shape, as seen best in FIGURE 1, and is pivoted at its upper end to the upper end of lifting cam arm 27 by means of a pin 41. An oflset portion 42, best seen in FIGURE 4, is provided in lever 39 so that this lever may clear earns 24 and 25, and the lower end 43 of lever 39 extends toward flange 14 of the mounting plate below lateral arm 28 of the lifting cam 23. A movable fulcrum in the form of a shoulder 44 is disposed adjacent end 43 of lever 39, this shoulder being formed on a locking slide 45, seen best in FIGURE 3. The slide is mounted for vertical movement on flange 14, being capable of movement between a lower or unlocking position and an upper or locking position. An overcenter spring 46 is provided for holding slide 45 in either of its positions. When in its lower position, shoulder 44 will be in obstructing relation with end 43 of lever 39, thus acting as a (fulcrum for the lever, whereas with the locking slide in its upper position, shoulder 44 will be out of the path of lever end 43, permitting movement of this end of the lever toward flange 14. The curvature of lever 39 is such that it will not engage pin 26 during its movement, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

In order to unlatch bolt 15 from the inside of the door, an inside rollback 47 is provided, this rollback being pivoted at 48 on flange 14 and having an apertured portion 49 on the downwardly extending arm thereof, this apertured portion being connectible with a link shown partially in dot-dash lines at 51 for operation by an inside door handle (not shown). The other arm 52 of rollback 47 extends toward base 13 and is disposed above the outer portion of arm 28 on lifting cam 23, as seen in FIGURE 1. With this arrangement, clockwise rotation of rollback 47 as seen in FIGURE 3 will cause unlatching movement of detent means 22. An offset shoulder 53 is provided in slide 45 above arm 52, and counterclockwise rotation of rollback 47 in FIGURE 3 will cause arm 52 to engage shoulder 53, so that slide 45 may be moved upwardly from its unlocking position to its locking position. Rollback 47 will normally be held in its central or neutral position by spring means (not shown) associated with the inside handle. As an alternative means of shifting slide 45 from the inside, an aperture 54 may be provided at the upper end of the slide for connection with a push rod (not shown) accessible at the garnish molding of the door. An outside key station (not shown) is supportable at 55 on flange 14 for connection with slide 45.

Means are also provided for restoring fulcrum shoulder :44 to its unlocking position when the door is slammed, or when it is opened by the inside handle. This means comprises an upwardly projecting kickoff or restoring tab 56 formed on slide 45 immediately above shoulder 44. This tab is disposed below arm 28 of lifting cam 23, so that with the slide in its locking position as shown in FIGURE 6, counterclockwise rotation of the lifting cam will cause arm 28 to engage tab 56, moving slide 45 downwardly into its unlocking position. As will be described in further detail below, the relative positions of the parts are such that should shoulder 44 be moved downwardly while lever 39 is held in its actuated position as shown in FIGURE 6, the lower end 43 of lever 39 will be withdrawn from the path of shoulder 44 before the shoulder reaches its lower position.

In operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 16, assuming an initial condition in which the parts are positioned as shown in FIGURES 1-4, if it is desired to open the door from the outside, outside rollback 31 will be rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIGURE 1 until the position shown in FIGURE is reached. This will cause leftward movement ,of link 36, and end 43 of .lever 39 will engage shoulder 44, causing lever 39 to swing counterclockwise about the contacting surfaces on end 43 and shoulder 44. This movement will result in counterclockwise rotation of lifting cam 23 as Well as earns 24 and 25, so that bolt will be free to be rotated clear of keeper 20. On release of rollback 31, springs 29 and 3-5 will return detent means 22 as well as lever 39 and the rollback to the position shown in FIGURE 1. After the operator has entered the car, he may close the door from the inside, bolt 15 rotating in a latching direction. This will cause momentary movement of detent means 22 to their unlatching position, with lever 39 and rollback 31 momentarily moving to the position shown in FIGURE 5 and then returning to the position of FIG- URE 1.

Should the operator desire to lock the door from the inside, he will cause inside rollback 47 to be swung counterclockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 3, so that arm 52 of the inside rollback will engage shoul- ;39 to the position shown in FIGURE 1.

Should it be desired to reopen the door from the inside,

.wise as shown in FIGURE 8.

rollback 47 will be swung clockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 3, sothat arm 52 thereof will engage arm 28 of lifting cam 23. This will cause unlatching movement of detent means 22, and arm 28 will also engage tab 56 of slide 54, m oving shoulder 44 down wardly. Slide 45 and shoulder 44 will assume their unlocked position as shown in FIGURE 1, so that the door will thereafter be unlocked from the outside.

Should it be desired to lock the latch from the outside, the key mechanism mounted at station 55 will be operated, moving slide 45 upwardly to its locking position. In the event slide 45 is moved to its locking position before the door is closed, slamming of the door will cause engagement of detent arm '28 with tab 56, restoring the parts to their unlocking position. Should rollback 31 be held in its counterclockwise position as shown in FIG- URE 6 when shoulder 44 is in its locking position as shown in FIGURE 6 and the door is slammed, the initial counterclockwise movement of lifting cam 23 as bolt 15 engages keeper 20 will cause lever 39 to rock about pivot 38 in a counterclockwise direction. The positions of the parts are such that end 43 of lever 39 will be withdrawn from the path of downwardly moving shoulder 44 by this counterclockwise movement, so that there will be no interference between the parts.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to that of FIGURES l-6 but which is especially adapted for rear vehicle doors in which it is desired to lock both inside and outside handles. The latch is generally indicated at 57 and has an ang-ularly formed mounting plate generally indicated at 58 with a base portion 5-9 and a flange 61. As in the previous embodiment, a multi-toothed rotary bolt 62 is pivotally mounted so as to project from base 59. Detent means generally indicated at 63 is pivotally mounted at 64 on base 59. This detent means including a lifting cam 65. An outside rollback 66 is movably supported on base 59 by means of a supporting link 67, one end of this supporting link being pivoted at 68 to base 59 while the other end is pivotally connected at 69 to an intermediate portion of rollback 66, the rollback being of elongated shape. The outer end of rollback 66 has a flange 71 adapted to be engaged by a plunger shown partially in dot-dash lines at 72 which may be actuated by an outside door handle (not shown). The opposite end of rollback 66 is pivotally connected at 73 to a hook-shaped detent actuating lever 74, the upper end of this lever be ing pivotally connected at 75 to the upper end of lifting cam 65. The lower end 76 of lever 74 is engageable with a movable fulcrum shoulder 77 which is formed as part of a slide 78 mounted for vertical movement on flange 61. An overcenter spring 79 is provided for holding slide 78 either in a lower or unlocking position as shown in FIGURE 7, or an upper or locking position in which shoulder 77 is non-obstructing relation with end 76 of lever 74.

An inside rollback 81 is provided, this rollback being pivoted at 82 on flange 61 of the mounting plate and having a lower arm connectible with a link shown partially in dot-dash lines at 83 so that movement of an inside handle (not shown) may swing rollback 81 clock- One arm of rollback 81 is disposed above a laterally extending arm 84 of lifting cam 65, so that clockwise movement of rollback 81 in FIGURE 8 will cause unlatching rotation of detent means 63. A locking lever 85 is pivotally mounted at 86 on flange 61 above inside rollback 81. Lever 85 is actuatable by a link 87 shown partially in dot-dash lines in FIG- URE 8 which is movable by locking handle (not shown) on the inside of the door and is connected at 88 to an upwardly extending arm 89 of lever 85. The lever also has an arm ,91 extending toward base 59, this arm being connected at 92.with the upper end of slide 78. Lever 85 is further provided with an arm 93 having a laterally extending flange 94, this flange being disposable in obstructing relation with a shoulder 95 formed on inside rollback 81 when lever 85 is rotated from its unlocking position shown inFIGURE 8 in a counterclockwise direction to its locking position.

Operation of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 will be similar to that described with respect to the previous embodiment of the invention. With shoulder 77 in its lower or unlocking position, leftward movement of outside rollback 66 as shown in FIGURE 7 will cause detent actuating lever 74 to swing clockwise about a fulcrum formed by the contacting surfaces of lever end 76 and shoulder 77. This will cause withdrawal of detent means 63 from latching engagement with bolt 62. With locking lever 85 rotated counterclockwise from its position shown in FIGURE 8, slide 78 will be moved upwardly, with shoulder 77 in non-obstructing relation with end 76 of lever 74. Reciprocation of outside rollback 66 will then result in idling movement of lever 74 about pivot 75. When in its locked position, shoulder 94 of lever 85 will also present unlatching movement of inside rollback 81. This embodiment of the invention does not include restoring means as was described with respect to the previous embodiment.

It will thus be seen that a novel and improved free handle latching mechanism has been provided which is simple and foolproof in operation, requires relatively little effort to manipulate and is adaptable for different types of door installations. The mechanism can be inexpensively fabricated using conventional materials and many standard parts, and may readily be incorporated in the constructions of present day automobile latching mechanisms now in widespread use.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variations and change without departing from the proper scope of fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate adapted to be secured at the outer edge of a door, a rotatable bolt supported by said mounting plate, detent means engageable with said bolt and movable between a latching position and an unlatching position, a rollback movably supported by said mounting plate for movement between an unlatching and a latching position, a detent actuating lever having a first portion connected to said rollback and a second portion connected to said detent means, a locking member carried by said mounting plate and having a shoulder movable between an unlocking position in obstructing relation with a third portion of said detent actuating lever and a locking position in non-obstructing relation with said detent actuating lever, and means for moving said locking member between its locking and unlocking positions, said rollback being movable in the same direction and between the same latching and unlatching positions irrespective of the position of said locking member.

2. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a multitoothed rotary bolt on said mounting plate, detent means on said mounting plate and engageable with said bolt, said detent means being swingable between a latching position and an unlatching position, a rollback on said mounting plate and movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said detent means between a latching and an unlatching position, a detent actuating lever having one portion pivotally connected to said rollback, a second portion on said lever pivotally connected to said detent means, a locking member on said mounting plate having a fulcrum shoulder thereon, and means for moving said locking member between an unlocking position in which said shoulder is in obstructing relation with a third portion of said detent actuating lever, and a locking position in which said fulcrum portion is in non-obstructing relation with said lever:

3. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a bolt rotatably carried by said mounting plate, detent means on said mounting plate engageable with said bolt, said detent means being movable between latching and unlatching positions, a rollback on said mounting plate movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said detent means between latching and unlatching positions, a spring carried by said mounting plate constantly urging said rollback to its latching position, a detent actuating lever pivotally connected at an intermediate portion with said rollback, a pivotal connection between one end portion of said lever and said detent means, a locking member having a movable fulcrum shoulder, and means for moving said locking member between an unlatching position in which said shoulder is in obstructing relation with the opposite end portion of said detent actuating lever, and a locking position in which said shoulder is in non-obstructing relation with said lever, said rollback being movable in the same direction and between the same latching and unlatching positions irrespective of the position of said locking member.

4. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate, a bolt rotatably supported by said mounting plate, a detent pivotally supported by said mounting plate and movable between a latching position in engagement with said bolt and an unlatching position out of engagement with said bolt, an arm on said detent, a rollback pivotally supported on said mounting plate and movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said detent means between latching and unlatching positions, a detent actuating lever pivotally connected at an intermediate portion with said rollback, a pivotal connection between the outer end of said arm and one end portion of said lever, a locking member having a fulcrum shoulder, and means for moving said locking member between an unlocking position in which said shoulder is in obstructing relation with the opposite end of said lever when said rollback moves toward its unlatching position, and a locking position in which said shoulder is in non-obstructing relation with said lever, said rollback being movable in the same direction and between the same latching and unlatching positions irrespective of the position of said locking member.

5. In a latching mechanism, having a base and a flange extending angularly from said base, a bolt rotatably mounted on said base, a detent pivoted on said base and movable between a latching position in engagement with said bolt and an unlatching position out of engagement with said bolt, resilient means holding said detent in its latching position, a rollback pivotally mounted on said base and movable in a direction parallel to the plane of movement of said detent means between latching and unlatching positions, a spring carried by said mounting plate constantly urging said rollback to its latching position, a detent actuating lever having one portion pivotally connected to said rollback and a second portion pivotally connected to said detent, said detent actuating lever having a third portion tending to move toward said flange when said rollback is moved toward its unlatching position, a locking member having a movable fulcrum shoulder, and means for moving said locking member between an unlocking position in which said shoulder is in obstructing relation with said third lever portion to prevent movement thereof toward said flange, and a locking position in which said fulcrum portion is in non-obstructing relation with said lever, whereby movement of said rollback toward its unlatching position will result in swinging movement of said lever about its pivotal connection with said detent.

6. The combination according to claim 5, said locking member comprising a member movably mounted on said flange, an inside rollback rockably mounted on said flange and movable from a neutral position in opposite directions, an arm on said detent engageable by said inside rollback when moved in one direction to move said detent to its unlatching position, and a portion of said locking member engageable by said inside rollback when moved in the opposite direction to cause said locking member to move to its locking position.

7. The combination according to claim 5, said locking member comprising a member movably mounted on said flange, an inside rollback rockably mounted on said flange, an arm on said detent engageable by said inside rollback to cause unlatching movement of said detent, and a portion on said locking member movable into blocking relation with said inside rollback when said locking member moves to its lock-ing position, whereby unlatching movement of said inside rollback will be prevented.

8. The combination according to claim 5, said locking ,member being mounted on said flange, and a restoring portion on said locking member engageable by said detent when the locking member is in its locking position and the detent moves toward its unlatching position, whereby said locking member will be moved toward its unlocking position.

9. In a latching mechanism, a mounting plate having a base and a flange extending transversely thereto, a bolt rotatably mounted on said base, a detent pivotally mounted on said base above said bolt and movable between a latching position in engagement with said bolt and an unlatching position away from said bolt, an arm extending upwardly from said detent, a rollback mounted on said base and having a portion movable between an unlatching .position toward said flange and a latching position away tion will tend to move the lower end of said lever toward said flange, a locking member inovably mounted on said flange, and a fulcrum shoulder on said locking member, said shoulder being movable between an unlocking position in obstructing relation with said lower lever end, and a locking position in non-obstructing relation with said lever end.

10. The combination according to claim 9, said locking member comprising a slide vertically movable on said flange, an inside rollback pivotally mounted on said flange, an arm on said detent engageable by said inside rollback to move the detent into unlatching position, and a restoring portion on said slide movable into the path of said last-mentioned detent arm, whereby movement of said detent to unlatching position will cause said locking slide to move to unlocking position.

11. The combination according to claim 10, further provided with a spring urging said detent toward its latching position, and a second spring urging said rollback toward its unlatchiing position.

12. The combination according to claim 10, said rollback comprising a first member pivoted on said base, and a link connecting said first member with said detent actuating lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,909,210 Miller May 16, 1 933 1,970,807 Lovell Aug. 21, 1934 2,362,254 Endter Nov. 7, 1944 2,629,618 Roethel Feb. 24, 1953 2,636,764 Dall Apr. 28, 1953 2,876,032 Pickles Mar. 3, 1959 

